Get Your Hair Did
You know that person you trust and feel safe with, who knows intimate details of your life, and knows what you need before you even ask? No, not your spouse, or your gyno for that matter. I’m talking about your hairdresser.
My hairdresser (or girl at the beauty shop like my Grammy always said), and I started our relationship right after I got engaged, so we’re in our 8th year of styling bliss. She’s a little younger than me, hip & single, always has something interesting to talk about, plus she’s amazeballs. However, as I’m sure most women can relate, finding the right stylist can be a long road to hoe.
Classic Paw Paw cut.
My precious Paw Paw was a barber and for years he cut our hair. I loved going to his barber shop. The smells, the sounds, all the men talking. We were treated like celebrities when we showed up - no wait, sat wherever we wanted, and ate bubble gum to our heart's content so it didn't matter that he cut my hair like a boy for years. Although my dad and brother went to him until he retired (at age 89 – incredible!), as a young girl, I eventually graduated to other salons. These included but were not limited to the following:
Fantastic Sams - yikes
Random place in College Station – yikes again
Visible Changes – some changes good, some changes not so good
Independent salons – had a good guy for a while until he cut my hair drunk. (He was drunk, not me.) Upon review of my hair, it was my turn to be drunk and then I never went to him again.
And now -
Studio 31 Hair Lab (deep sigh of contentment, thank you Stacey Daniels)
She does cut AND color, and always hooks a girl UP. I leave looking fly no matter what I have going on later. Which is usually nothing. She used to always ask me, “So what are you doing tonight?” Back in the day, I occasionally would have plans or dinner after and get to show off my new ‘do, but let’s face it. All I’m doing later is picking up my kids from Mother’s Day Out. Which basically leads their teachers (and other kids' parents) to believe I style my hair at least once every 12-16 weeks, so that’s a win. But now? What am I doing later? Nothing. I’m doing nothing! This IS my outing. I’m gonna go home, look really good while I feed and bathe the kids, and then go straight to sleep loving my locks.
I know what you're thinking, but I'm not a model. #sophomore
One of my favorites with one of my favorites.
Getting your hair done can take some time, so I recommend fueling before you go. I responsibly devoured an eggmcmuffin meal on the way to my appointment because I won’t have hunger keeping me from enjoying my 2 hours away. Before I had kids, I used to get somewhat impatient during appointments – I mean, I’d worked all day, I had another event later, I needed to get home, whatever. How ridic is that?! Now I revel in my time there. The longer it takes, the better! This is my escape! This is MY TIME! There is another adult talking to me who is making me look and feel like a badass! Why in the world would I rush through that? I read every magazine in sight. I say yes every time they ask if I need something. I drink all their water and all their wine (when not with child, natch), and if there’s a treat basket, you better believe I’m chowing down. For a while, Gardetto’s and Skittles would abound and both inventory levels were dangerously low after I left. #sorrynotsorry
The only two-edged sword of the hair salon world is the mirror count. It is mostly magical – from every angle my hair looks amazing. It works with other things, too. I remember after I got engaged I was like, "Dayuuum, my engagement ring looks huge in this mirror!" And then today I could barely get my ring on my finger and was like, "Dayuuum, my belly looks huge in this mirror!" #rethinkingsecondbreakfast
If you’re in an unfulfilling hair relationship – get out now! Don’t sit & think maybe next time she’ll listen. Maybe next time I’ll get what I want. Maybe next time I won’t cry in the car on the way home. Be your own advocate! Don’t stay with someone out of obligation, or cuz it’s your Aunt Suzy’s cousin’s brother, and if you stopped going to him, he won't talk to you at Thanksgiving next year. Life is too short to have bad hair. Or bad friends. So become friends with your hairdresser and enjoy that double whammy. To your hair!
Hair success!!
